When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the familiar ceiling.

I lay still for a while, just blinking. My mind was hazy because I wasn't fully awake yet. It was warm inside the blanket, and the sunlight coming through the gap in the window was brighter than I thought. Usually, around this time, Noona would have woken up first and be getting ready.

Ah.

Today is the weekend.

As soon as I realized that, Noona naturally came to mind.

If it were a weekday, it would already be time for her to have gone to the kindergarten. It was natural for her not to be in the empty house if I woke up late, but not today. Since it's the weekend, she wouldn't have gone to work.

Then is she still sleeping?

I sat up in bed. My messy bangs poked my eyes, so I brushed them back roughly with my hand and left the room. I didn't even bother checking the time on my phone. Checking where Noona was came first.

I passed through the hallway and stood in front of the familiar door.

Knock, knock.

I tapped the door very lightly with my finger, but there was no answer.

She must be sleeping after all.

I slowly turned the doorknob. As I opened the door carefully to make as little noise as possible, faint morning light was streaming through the curtains. And beneath it, I saw Noona sleeping under the covers.

She's here.

Just confirming that made me feel strangely at peace.

I closed the door and approached the bed. I stood there looking down at her for a while, even killing the sound of my footsteps in case she woke up.

She's sleeping.

Usually, I only see her awake, so seeing her sleeping like this, oblivious to everything, makes me want to watch her for a long time. I wondered what she was dreaming about, when she would wake up, and what the first thing she'd say when she opened her eyes would be.

Still, I didn't want to wake her up.

I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at Noona's face, then eventually lifted one side of the blanket slightly.

... Just for a bit.

It's been like this since we were little anyway.

I carefully crawled into the empty space and lay down. The mattress sank slightly, but Noona still didn't wake up.

As if I had been waiting, I pulled my body close to her.

I wrapped my arm around her waist to hug her and buried my face close. She was warm. As soon as I felt her familiar body heat, the sleepiness that had remained until a moment ago seemed to come rushing back.

I hugged Noona a little tighter. Without applying much pressure in case it was uncomfortable, just enough so I wouldn't fall away.

Then Noona tossed and turned slightly.

I instantly stopped moving and lifted my face a bit.

Did she wake up?

Her eyelids seemed to move a little, so I waited quietly. And not long after, when Noona slowly opened her eyes, the corners of my mouth went up involuntarily.

I clung to her again and smiled, my eyes narrowing slowly.

Noona, you're awake..

My voice was a bit lower and raspy than usual because I had just woken up.

I stared at Noona's face for a moment, then tightened my grip on her arm a little more while waiting for an answer.

Is today the weekend...?

I asked even though I knew.

Then I leaned my forehead against Noona's shoulder and whispered softly.